Torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly and method of installation

ABSTRACT

A replacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly for use within an automatic transmission including two cooperating valves, namely a regulator apply valve and an isolator valve, disposed in fluid communication with a line pressure circuit and a torque converter clutch apply circuit is disclosed. In one embodiment the regulator apply valve employs a regulator apply valve sleeve, which provides support to the regulator apply valve to prevent side loading. Modified control lands on the regulator apply valve have a reduced cross-sectional area calculated to increase the influence of the pulse width modulated solenoid, which provides an output pressure in response to the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid coil in pulse width modulated converter systems. In an alternative embodiment an isolator valve sleeve is utilized for instances wherein the isolator valve bore has extreme wear that cannot be corrected solely by the installation of the replacement isolator valve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.§ 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/376,073 filed Apr. 29, 2002,entitled Torque Converter Clutch Regulator Valve and Method ofInstallation.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of hydraulic circuits withinautomatic transmission systems and, more particularly, to a replacementtorque converter clutch (hereinafter “TCC”) regulator valve that reducesfluid pressure loss to the torque converter apply and release circuits,which actuate the torque converter clutch.

The General Motors 4L60-E (hereinafter “GM”) transmission and othersimilar GM transmissions are equipped with mechanisms to “lockup” theirtorque converters to varying degrees under certain operating conditions.The purpose of the lockup converter is to provide for direct drive whenthe vehicle is cruising at higher speeds. Since there is always someslippage in the fluid coupling of a torque converter, some power is lostand fuel economy suffers. By providing a direct mechanical couplingthrough the transmission at high engine speeds, the lockup converterimproves fuel economy.

This is accomplished by an electronic/hydraulic torque converter clutchsystem, which utilizes a lockup piston within the torque converterhousing. The lockup piston has friction material on its forward surface.When the vehicle is at cruising speed and lockup is desired, an electricsolenoid is energized which opens the torque converter clutch(hereinafter “TCC”) regulator valve. This allows fluid pressure to actupon the lockup piston, which is forced against a machined surface onthe converter cover. Thus, the lockup piston and the converter cover arelocked together and act as a single unit similar to a manualtransmission clutch. When lockup is no longer required, a port opensthat allows the pressurized fluid to exhaust. The lockup piston thenmoves away from the torque converter housing re-establishing the fluidcoupling.

Early 4L60E transmissions utilized 2^(nd) gear clutch fluid, which wasessentially line pressure applied via an orifice, to actuate the TCCregulator valve. In this version of the transmission, the TCC regulatorvalve and the isolator valve were combined into one valve. In laterversions lockup in the electronic torque converter clutch system wascontrolled by a pulse width modulated torque converter clutch(hereinafter “PWM TCC”) solenoid that provides an output or controlpressure in response to the duty cycle imposed on the solenoid coil.

In 1993 General Motors converted to the PWM actuated TCC regulator valveand divided it into two separate valves, namely the regulator applyvalve and the isolator valve. Thus, in the PWM versions (1993–1997) ofthe 4L60E torque converter, there are actually two converter solenoidsbeing employed in the system. The PWM TCC solenoid sends automatictransmission fluid (hereinafter “ATF”) to the isolator valve. Since thePWM TCC solenoid is duty-cycling the isolator valve, it oscillatescontinuously within the valve body. The regulator apply valve receivesline pressure and regulates it to a lesser pressure, which is known asconverter apply pressure. Converter apply pressure is not actually sentto the torque converter, but to the TCC apply valve. The TCC apply valveis actuated by the TCC solenoid. This solenoid is simply an On/Off typesolenoid and not a PWM type. It is the TCC apply valve that actuallydirects ATF to the torque converter.

In 1998 General Motors went to the “EC3” style torque converter. Thisdesign allows the torque converter to continuously slip from 2^(nd) gearupward without ever locking up completely. This design was intended toimprove fuel economy and converter control. The regulator apply andisolator valves were changed only slightly and function exactly the sameas the 1993–1997 PWM version.

A disadvantage associated with these systems is the pulsating flowgenerated by the pulse width modulated TCC isolator valve as it cyclesbetween its open and closed positions. The isolator valve imparts someof this pulsating movement to the regulator apply valve. Thesepulsations cause wear within the valve body resulting in hydraulic fluidleakage and incorrect pressure responses. As a result vehicles with a4L60E transmission often have insufficient TCC apply pressure causinguncontrolled clutch slippage, which overheats the converter andgenerates TCC slip codes requiring service work. These complaints canoften be caused by ATF leakage past the TCC regulator valve resulting inreduced converter apply pressure.

There are known prior art patents that are available in the field andtheir discussion follows. One example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,939 toIwanga et al. (hereinafter “939 patent”), which discloses a hydrauliccontrol system for a torque converter for ensuring release of thelock-up condition of the torque converter. This is accomplished byproviding a flow restrictor in the hydraulic working fluid supplypassage for the torque converter to make the flow resistance of thepassage equal to or larger than the flow resistance of the hydraulicworking fluid supply passage for the lock-up control chamber. In thiscontrol system a first or feed passageway communicates with a source ofpressurized fluid and with a torque converter chamber, a second ordischarge passageway communicates with the torque converter chamber anda third passageway communicates with a lock-up control or clutch chamberof the lockup clutch. A lockup control valve communicates with the samesource of pressurized fluid and with the third passageway. The firstpassageway is provided with the flow restrictor. With the provision ofthe flow restrictor, the disengagement of the lockup clutch will beassured upon pressurization of the third passageway.

Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,036 to Ideta (hereinafter “036patent”), which discloses a hydraulic control system for the lockupclutch of a torque converter wherein release of a lockup clutch isensured even when the discharge flow rate of the pump is low. Thiscontrol system comprises a pump driven by an engine to discharge fluid,a torque converter having a lockup clutch with a lockup clutch pistonmovable to a clutch released position when fluid pressure within alockup release chamber is higher than fluid pressure within a workingchamber in the torque converter cavity, a line pressure regulator valveand an orifice, which provides a restricted flow communication betweenthe torque converter and the pump even when line pressure generated bythe line pressure regulator valve is lower than a predetermined value.The Ideta ('036) patent utilizes cutouts 20 formed on the land 32 d ofthe first spool 32 (FIG. 1) on the line pressure regulator valve topermit a sufficient flow of hydraulic fluid via oil conduit 62 to torqueconverter 10 at low speed operation to ensure the release of the lockupclutch.

While these patents relate generally to hydraulic control systems fortorque converters, they do not disclose improving hydraulic control overthe torque converter clutch apply circuit or a related method forrestoring the hydraulic integrity of such circuits by use of areplacement valve mechanism.

Pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/939,372 to Stafforddiscloses an actuator feed limit valve (hereinafter “AFL”) assemblycomprising a replacement hydraulic valve mechanism for installationwithin the original equipment valve body of an automatic transmission.The AFL valve directs line pressure into the actuator feed limitcircuit, which feeds the shift solenoids, pressure control solenoid andother hydraulically actuated components of the transmission. This valvemechanism utilizes a full contact valve sleeve having inlet and exhaustports disposed about its circumference, which substantially reduces sideloading, bore wear, and AFL fluid circuit leakage. However, this patentapplication does not disclose the structural improvements and technicaladvantages of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is a replacement TCC regulator valveassembly for the GM 4L60-E transmissions comprised of two separatevalves, namely a regulator apply valve and an isolator valve, which isdesigned to increase fluid pressure within the torque converter applycircuit and to restore the hydraulic integrity thereof.

In one embodiment the replacement TCC regulator valve assembly employs awear-resistant regulator apply valve sleeve, which has been added toprovide full support to the regulator apply valve to prevent sideloading (i.e. lateral movement) in operation. The control lands orso-called spools on the regulator apply valve have been reduced indiameter area by up to 10% in comparison to the original equipmentvalve, which reduces the balance circuit apply surface on the end faceof the apply valve. Thus, the overall effect is to increase theinfluence of the PWM TCC solenoid on valve operation resulting inincreased line pressure flow to the converter apply circuit fortransmissions having such PWM converter systems.

In addition, the axial length of the replacement isolator valve has beenincreased in comparison to the original equipment valve to reside incontact with the unworn portions of the mating bore in the valve body toensure accurate operation. Annular lubrication grooves have also beenadded to the present isolator valve for better valve centering toimprove performance.

In an alternative embodiment, an optional isolator valve sleeve is addedto the present TCC regulator valve assembly for instances wherein theOEM isolator valve bore has extreme wear that cannot be corrected solelyby the installation of a replacement isolator valve.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the important features ofthe invention in order that the detailed description thereof thatfollows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

Other features and technical advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a study of the following description and theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the present invention are set forth in theappended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as otherfeatures and advantages thereof will be best understood by reference tothe following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment whenread in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a longitudinal cross-section of a TCC regulator valveassembly disposed within the valve body of a GM transmission and labeledPrior Art;

FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-section of another embodiment of a priorart TCC regulator valve assembly disposed within the valve body of a GMtransmission labeled Prior Art;

FIG. 2A is a longitudinal cross-section of a reaming tool within thevalve body for resizing the bore prior to installation of aremanufactured TCC regulator valve assembly labeled Prior Art and shownin FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2B is a longitudinal cross-section of a remanufactured TCCregulator valve labeled Prior Art;

FIG. 3A is a longitudinal cross-section of the replacement TCC regulatorvalve assembly of the present invention shown in the closed position;

FIG. 3B is a longitudinal cross-section of the replacement TCC regulatorvalve of FIG. 3A shown in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the modified regulator apply valveof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-section of the regulator apply valvesleeve of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the modified isolator valve ofthe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-section of a reaming tool of the presentinvention within the valve body for resizing a first axial section ofthe bore prior to installation of the present TCC regulator valveassembly shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-section of another embodiment of thereplacement TCC regulator valve assembly including an isolator valvesleeve; and

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-section of an alternative reaming tool ofthe present invention for resizing a second axial section of the boreprior to the installation of the replacement TCC regulator valveassembly including the isolator valve sleeve shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Prior to describing the present invention in detail it may be beneficialto review the structure and function of a TCC regulator valve of theprior art. With reference to the drawings there is shown therein such aTCC regulator valve of the prior art, indicated generally at 100 andillustrated in FIG. 1A. The prior art TCC regulator valve 100 madeavailable in some GM vehicles from 1993 to 1997 is comprised of aregulator apply valve 102, an isolator valve 105, and an isolator valvespring 106 arranged within the valve body 110.

FIG. 1B illustrates another prior art TCC regulator valve, indicatedgenerally at 200, which was made available on GM vehicles in 1998. TheTCC regulator valve 200 is similarly constructed for installation in thevalve body 110 with the exception of the isolator valve 105′ wherein theconfiguration has been modified.

Still referring to FIG. 1B these components are arranged in coaxialrelation as shown within a mating bore 111 and are captured in the valvebody 110 by an end plug 115, which is secured by a retaining clip 117.The valve body 110 includes ATF exhaust ports 107, 108, a PWM TCCsolenoid circuit as at 112 for receiving pressurized ATF, a linepressure port 113 for counteracting fluid pressure delivered via the PWMTCC solenoid port 112, a TCC apply circuit as at 114 for sendingpressurized ATF to the TCC apply valve (not shown), and a TCC applybalance port 116.

In the early prior art designs the isolator valves 105, 105′ (FIGS. 1Aand 1B) are fabricated from steel. Valves 105, 105′ continuouslyoscillate within the bore 111 of the aluminum valve body 110 as the PWMTCC solenoid cycles to provide smooth converter clutch engagement. Suchoscillating movement wears the bore 111 at locations adjacent theisolator valves 105, 105′ allowing PWM TCC solenoid pressure to leakpast the isolator valves 105, 105′ to exhaust. The regulator apply valve102 also wears the bore 111 allowing converter apply pressure leakage,which eventually causes unwanted clutch slippage and overheating of thetorque converter.

It is known in the prior art to ream the bore 111 oversize by the use ofa suitable reaming tool 150 as shown in FIG. 2A to resurface the boreand to replace the original equipment manufacture (hereinafter “OEM”)valves 102, 105 with oversize valves 102′, 105′ as seen in FIG. 2B.However, using this repair technique and the resulting remanufacturedTCC regulator valve assembly 300 (FIG. 2B) has proven to beunsatisfactory and has resulted in very early wear problems in suchremanufactured units. Thus, the present invention has been developed toresolve these problems and will now be described.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B there is shown a replacement TCC regulatorvalve assembly in accordance with the present invention, indicatedgenerally at 10. The present TCC regulator valve assembly 10 includes areplacement regulator apply valve, indicated generally at 20, a newregulator apply valve sleeve, indicated generally at 15, and areplacement isolator valve, indicated generally at 25. The OEM isolatorvalve spring 106 and the OEM retaining clip 117 may be reused in thepresent invention. The OEM end plug 115 is effectively integrated intothe present sleeve 15 and, thus, the OEM plug 115 may be discarded.

Referring to FIG. 4 the present regulator apply valve 20 is illustrated.This spool-type valve 20 includes a pair of control diameters or lands42, 45 interconnected by a stem portion 43, which may include aperipheral groove formed thereon (not shown) for identificationpurposes. A spring locating diameter 40 is formed coaxially with land 42and functions to guide the spring 106 against the end face of land 42.

Land 42 also includes an annular, lubrication groove 24 that fills withATF during operation. This provides an even film of lubrication aboutland 42, which resists side loading and uneven wear within the matingbore 111. The end face 45 a of land 45 in combination with the end face46 a of the chamfered contact diameter 46 defines a reaction surface (ie. balance apply surface) for pressurized ATF entering the balance applyport at 116 (FIGS. 3A and 3B).

Lands 42, 45 function to control the flow of line pressure as at 113 tothe TCC apply circuit 114 as hereinafter described. In the presentinvention the outside diameters of lands 42, 45 have been reduced by upto 10% in comparison to the OEM apply valve 102 to reduce the balanceapply surface 45 a, 46 a (as defined hereinabove) rendering the presentregulator apply valve 20 less responsive to balance apply pressure viacircuit 116 and, accordingly, more responsive to pulse width modulated(PWM) solenoid control via circuit 112. This results in an increasedflow of ATF from line pressure circuit 113 to converter apply circuit114 and higher converter apply pressure in operation.

In the preferred embodiment the regulator apply valve 20 is fabricatedfrom aluminum material per 6262-T8/T9 or 6061-T6 and is hard anodizedper MIL-A-8625, Type III, Class 2 to provide an optimal coefficient offriction with the mating valve sleeve 15.

As more clearly shown in FIG. 5, sleeve 15 is a generally cylindricalconstruction having a longitudinal bore 14 of sufficient size to allowvalve 20 to oscillate therein. Sleeve 15 includes a plurality of inletports 16 and a plurality of outlet ports 18 formed within annulargrooves 45 at predetermined locations in fluid communication with theline pressure port 113 and the TCC apply circuit 114 respectively (FIG.3B). Sleeve 15 includes at least one TCC balance apply orifice 19 formedwithin the annular groove 40 (FIG. 5) at a predetermined location influid communication with the TCC balance apply circuit 116. The sleeve15 may also include a plurality of exhaust ports 17 formed at a distalend thereof in proximity to exhaust port 108.

An annular groove 21 is formed at one end of the sleeve 15 for receivingthe OEM retaining clip 117. Once the valve sleeve 15 is placed withinthe valve body 110, the retaining clip 117 is installed within theannular groove 21 to secure the sleeve 15 and the entire TCC regulatorvalve assembly 10 within the valve body 110. Thus, it will beappreciated that the primary feature (i.e. groove 21) and the function(i.e. valve containment) of the prior art end plug 115 (FIG. 1A) areeffectively integrated into the present regulator apply valve sleeve 15.

In one embodiment the sleeve 15 is fabricated from a high grade4032-T6/T651/T86 aluminum to provide an optimal working surface forcontact with the hard anodized regulator apply valve 20 and increasedservice longevity in comparison to the OEM design. The present sleeve 15functions to restore the hydraulic integrity of the TCC apply circuit114 and to provide full support to the regulator apply valve 20 withinthe sleeve 15 thereby eliminating the side-loading problem inherent inthe OEM design.

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown a replacement isolator valve inaccordance with the present invention, indicated generally at 25.Isolator valve 25 is a generally cylindrical construction fabricatedfrom low carbon steel and case hardened to a predetermined case depth toresist wear. Isolator valve 25 includes a plurality of annular grooves50 formed thereon, which function to center the valve 25 within the bore111 by filling with ATF during operation and to distribute hydraulicpressure across the surface of the valve to prevent side-loading. In theembodiment shown four annular grooves 50 are formed in parallel relationat regular intervals on the outside diameter of the valve 25.

The replacement isolator valve 25 has an increased axial length that isapproximately 0.560 inches longer than the OEM isolator valves 105,105′, 105″ (FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2B), and yet retains adequate clearanceand proper function within its mating bore 111 in the OEM valve body110. The increased axial length allows the isolator valve 25 to ride inthe unworn portions of the valve body 111 in the area adjacent exhaustport 107 (FIG. 3B) ensuring concentric operation of the isolator valve25 in combination with the regulator apply valve 20.

The isolator valve 25 includes a spring recess 27 integrally formedtherein at a proximal end thereof to receive spring 106. The isolatorvalve 25 may also include an axial protuberance 29 formed on a distalend thereof. The protuberance 29 permits ATF entering the PWM TCCsolenoid port 112 to flow evenly around protuberance 29 to the actuatingsurface 25 a of the valve 25. The protuberance 29 also prevents the endface of the valve 25 from striking against the inside of the valve body110 as at 130 (FIG. 3A), which would disrupt ATF flow resulting inpressure loss within the converter apply circuit 114.

To install the present TCC regulator valve assembly 10, the retainingclip 117, end plug 115, regulator apply valve 102, spring 106, andeither isolator valve 105 or 105′ of the prior art are removed from thevalve body bore 111. The OEM clip 117 and spring 106 are retained forreuse. Using a reaming tool 150′ such as Sonnax reamer (77754-R2) thebore 111 is enlarged to a sufficient size to accommodate the valvesleeve 15 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Reamer 150′ includes a cuttingdiameter 152, which is piloted by a guide diameter 154 that locates in adistal end (i.e. second axial section) of the bore 111 to ensure thatthe sleeve 15 will be concentric to the isolator valve 25 onceinstallation is complete. After removal of any debris and burrs from theresized proximal end (i.e. first axial section) of bore 111 and applyinglubrication, the present TCC regulator valve assembly 10 is installed asshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

In some instances the distal end of the bore 111 wherein the isolatorvalve 25 resides has such extreme wear that even the present modifiedisolator valve 25 will not prevent excessive oil loss. In thiscircumstance another embodiment of the TCC regulator valve assembly 10′is provided as shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment an isolator valvesleeve, indicated generally at 60, is utilized to remedy the leakageproblem and to restore hydraulic integrity to the present valve assembly10′.

The isolator valve sleeve 60 is a generally cylindrical construction,which is also fabricated from a high grade 4032-T6/T651/T86 aluminum andincludes an internal bore 62 of a sufficient size to permit theoscillating movement of the present Isolator Valve 25 as describedhereinabove. Sleeve 60 is provided with a plurality of inlet ports 16′and a plurality of outlet ports 18′ formed at 90 degree intervals withinannular grooves 49′ at predetermined locations in fluid communicationwith the PWM TCC solenoid circuit 112 and exhaust port 107 respectivelyin a manner similar to the regulator valve sleeve 15 (FIG. 5).

The present sleeve 60 functions to restore the hydraulic integrity ofthe TCC solenoid circuit 112 and to provide full support to the isolatorvalve 25 within the sleeve 60 thereby eliminating side-loading and theexcessive wear problems inherent in the OEM and remanufactured OEMdesigns described hereinabove. In all other respects the TCC regulatorvalve assembly 10′ including the isolator valve sleeve 60 operates insubstantially the same manner as the TCC regulator valve 10 as describedhereinabove.

In order to install the TCC regulator valve assembly 10′ an alternatereaming tool 150″ such as Sonnax reamer (77754-RM5) is utilized toenlarge the distal end (i.e. second axial section) 111 b of the bore 111to a sufficient size to accommodate the valve sleeve 60 as illustratedin FIG. 9. After removal of any debris and burrs from the resized distalend 111 b of the bore 111 and applying lubrication, the presentregulator valve assembly 10′ is installed as shown in FIG. 8.

In operation the output pressure from the PWM TCC solenoid in the highduty cycle enters the TCC regulator valves 10, 10′ via the PWM TCCsolenoid circuit 112, which strokes the isolator valve 25 (i.e. to theright) from the closed position shown in FIG. 3A to the open positionshown in FIG. 3B. It can be seen that the proximal end of the isolatorvalve 25 surrounding spring recess 27 resides in an unworn portion ofthe bore 111 b (FIG. 3B) adjacent the exhaust port 107, which would nothave been traversed by any of the OEM isolator valves 105, 105′, 105″due to their shorter axial length.

Simultaneously, the regulator apply valve 20 is also stroked opening theTCC apply circuit 114 to line pressure via line port 113 (FIG. 3B). Asthe apply valve 20 oscillates within the sleeve 15, the groove 24functions to distribute pressure across the circumference of land 42eliminating side loading of the valve 20 within sleeve 15. It can beseen that sleeve 15 extends partially over exhaust port 108 (FIG. 3B).This protects that portion of the bore 111 a that is susceptible to wearin the OEM design due to repeated oscillation and causes ATF/pressureleakage in the prior art regulator apply valves 102, 102′.

As the PWM TCC solenoid cycles and returns to a lower percentage dutycycle, the hydraulic pressure in the PWM TCC solenoid circuit 112 isdepleted. The isolator spring 106 then forces the Isolator Valve 25 backto the closed position with the assistance of fluid pressure enteringthe balance apply circuit at 116 and the solenoid cycle is repeated.

Although not specifically illustrated in the drawings, it should beunderstood that additional equipment and structural components will beprovided as necessary and that all of the components described above arearranged and supported in an appropriate fashion to form a complete andoperative torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly and method ofinstallation incorporating features of the present invention.

Moreover, although illustrative embodiments of the invention have beendescribed, a latitude of modification, change, and substitution isintended in the foregoing disclosure, and in certain instances somefeatures of the invention will be employed without a corresponding useof other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appendedclaims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope ofinvention.

1. A replacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly forinstallation in a mating bore within the valve body of an automatictransmission, wherein said valve assembly is disposed in fluidcommunication between a line pressure circuit and a converter applycircuit, said valve assembly being responsive to output pressuregenerated by a pulse width modulated solenoid circuit and also to acounteracting pressure from a balance apply circuit, said valve assemblycomprising: a replacement regulator apply valve having a plurality ofcontrol lands formed thereon for controlling the release of fluid fromsaid line pressure circuit to said converter apply circuit, said applyvalve including a balance apply reaction surface in fluid communicationwith said balance apply circuit; a regulator apply valve sleeve radiallydisposed about said apply valve, said regulator apply valve sleeveincluding an integrated end cap for retaining said valve assembly withinsaid valve body; a replacement isolator valve disposed in coaxialrelation to said apply valve, said isolator valve responding directly tosaid output pressure generated by said pulse width modulated solenoidcircuit; and a compression spring disposed intermediate said isolatorvalve and said apply valve for transferring said output pressure to saidapply valve.
 2. The replacement torque converter clutch regulator valveassembly of claim 1 wherein said balance apply reaction surface isreduced by up to ten percent in comparison to the original equipmentregulator apply valve in order to increase the influence of said pulsewidth modulated solenoid circuit on said replacement regulator applyvalve.
 3. The replacement torque converter clutch regulator valveassembly of claim 2 wherein said apply valve sleeve includes at leastone fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet formed therein, said atleast one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet being disposedin fluid communication with said line pressure circuit and saidconverter apply circuit respectively to permit the flow of transmissionfluid through said valve assembly.
 4. The replacement torque converterclutch regulator valve assembly of claim 3 wherein said at least onefluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet are disposed in fluidcommunication with annular grooves formed about said apply valve sleeveto distribute the flow of transmission fluid about the outercircumference thereof.
 5. The replacement torque converter clutchregulator valve assembly of claim 4 wherein said apply valve sleeveincludes at least one balance apply orifice at a predetermined axiallocation in fluid communication with said balance apply circuit.
 6. Thereplacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly of claim 2wherein said isolator valve has an increased axial length in comparisonto the original equipment isolator valve such that said replacementisolator valve resides at least partially within an unworn portion ofsaid mating bore concentric to said replacement regulator apply valve.7. The replacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly ofclaim 6 wherein said replacement isolator valve includes a plurality ofannular lubrication grooves formed thereon at regular axial intervals.8. The replacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly ofclaim 7 wherein said replacement isolator valve includes a spring recessintegrally formed therein at a distal end thereof, wherein saidcompression spring is positioned in said spring recess.
 9. Thereplacement torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly of claim 2wherein said integrated end cap includes an annular retaining groove forreceiving a retaining clip therein.
 10. The replacement torque converterclutch regulator valve assembly of claim 2 including an isolator valvesleeve radially disposed about said replacement isolator valve andinstalled within said valve body in concentric relation to said applyvalve sleeve.
 11. The replacement torque converter clutch regulatorvalve assembly of claim 10 wherein said isolator valve sleeve includesat least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet formed therein,said at least one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet beingdisposed in fluid communication with said pulse width modulated circuitand said fluid exhaust circuit respectively.
 12. The replacement torqueconverter clutch regulator valve assembly of claim 11 wherein said atleast one fluid inlet and said at least one fluid outlet are furtherdisposed in fluid communication with annular grooves formed on saidreplacement isolator valve sleeve to distribute the flow of transmissionfluid about the circumference thereof.
 13. An improved torque converterclutch regulator valve assembly for installation within a mating bore inthe valve body of an automatic transmission, said torque converterclutch regulator valve assembly including a regulator apply valve and anisolator valve disposed in fluid communication between a line pressurecircuit and a converter apply circuit, said isolator valve respondingdirectly to outlet pressure generated within a pulse width modulatedsolenoid circuit and further responding to a counteracting pressure froma balance apply circuit to control the flow of line pressure into saidconverter apply circuit, wherein the improvement comprises: areplacement regulator apply valve having a plurality of control landsformed thereon for regulating fluid flow from said line pressure circuitto said converter apply circuit, said replacement regulator apply valveincluding a balance apply reaction surface in fluid communication withsaid balance apply circuit, said reaction surface having up to tenpercent less surface area than the original equipment regulator applyvalve to increase the responsiveness of said replacement regulator applyvalve to said pulse width modulated solenoid circuit; and a regulatorapply valve sleeve radially disposed about said replacement regulatorapply valve, said regulator apply valve sleeve including an integrallyformed end cap for retaining said valve assembly within said valve body.14. The improved torque converter clutch regulator valve assembly ofclaim 13 including a replacement isolator valve having a substantiallyincreased axial length in comparison to the original equipment isolatorvalve such that said replacement isolator valve resides at leastpartially within an unworn portion of said mating bore in said valvebody ensuring concentric operation of said replacement isolator valvewith said regulator apply valve.
 15. The improved torque converterclutch regulator valve assembly of claim 14 wherein said replacementisolator valve includes a plurality of annular lubrication groovesformed thereon at regular intervals to retain transmission fluid thereinpreventing side loading in operation.
 16. The improved torque converterclutch regulator valve assembly of claim 14 wherein said replacementisolator valve includes a spring recess integrally formed therein at afirst end thereof, said compression spring being positioned in saidspring recess intermediate said replacement isolator valve and saidreplacement regulator apply valve.
 17. The improved torque converterclutch regulator valve assembly of claim 14 including an isolator valvesleeve being radially disposed about said isolator valve and installedwithin said valve body in concentric relation to said regulator applyvalve sleeve.
 18. The improved torque converter clutch regulator valveassembly of claim 17 wherein said isolator valve sleeve includes atleast one inlet port formed in fluid communication with said pulse widthmodulated solenoid circuit.